Basic Dog Manners

dog resting
"My dog jumps all over me when I come home from work". An appropriate alternative is to teach the dog to sit when they greet people. Dogs cannot jump and sit at the same time.

Jumping up

"My dog jumps all over me when I come home from work"

An appropriate alternative is to teach the dog to sit when they greet people. Dogs cannot jump and sit at the same time. In fact sitting could be regarded as the act of not jumping. When your dog jumps at you totally withdraw your attention, cross your arms and turn away from them. Your dog may become frustrated for a moment and jump at you desperately trying to get your attention. Continue to ignore your dog until they stop jumping (even for a second) then ask your dog to sit. When your dog sits praise them, giving them your full attention. If they jump up again repeat the process. Your dog will learn that the surest way to get your attention is to sit when they greet you.

  

Racing all Over the House

"My dog is too active and races about the house while we are watching TV of an evening"

An appropriate alternative is to train your dog to lie calmly on a mat. A dog trained to lie calmly on a mat is more likely to be: • Allowed inside • Taken on outings • Invited to come along with you when you visit friends Show your dog the mat and encourage them to move toward it using a food treat as a lure. When your dog touches the mat praise and reward them immediately. Repeat this step several times, gradually increasing the distance at which you send your dog to the mat. Ask your dog to lay on the mat. Praise and reward them immediately. Over several training sessions gradually increase the time that your dog lies on the mat. It can be useful to generalise the meaning of the word "mat". A "mat" is basically a station for your dog to wait at. For instance if you are at a café use a piece of newspaper or magazine as your dog's mat. 

 

Rushing Through Doorways

"My dog is so excited to get out of the house he nearly bowls me over!"

An appropriate alternative is to teach your dog to wait patiently in a doorway. Begin with your dog on a leash. Open the doorway slightly - if your dog moves forward close the door quickly but carefully. Repeat this procedure many times until you can open the door fully and your dog remains sitting. Now praise and reward your dog by allowing him through the doorway. Practice this at every doorway including the car door and front gate.

 

Impatience at Meal Times

"My dog is so excited at dinner time he knocks his food bowl right out of my hands!"

Just as we would teach a dog to sit when they greet people it is useful to teach them to sit patiently while you present them with their dinner. Some dogs can be extremely enthusiastic at mealtimes. To start teaching meal time manners place a small amount of food in your dog's bowl. Ask your dog to sit and slowly lower the bowl towards them. If your dog raises their rear off the ground, lift the bowl up and ask them to sit. If your dog is particularly excitable place the bowl up on a bench out of the dog's reach. Repeat this step until your dog sits calmly as you gradually lower the bowl to the floor. This may take many repetitions. When the food bowl is on the ground, stand up straight and reward your dog by inviting them to eat their dinner.

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